Cyclocross - Anyone here use Kelly's "Take Offs"?

I run bar end shifters and sometimes I lie awake at night wondering if they're vulnerable to damage, out there at the end of the handle bar.

I just found out about Chris Kelly's Take-Offs. Anyone here use them?

If you've never head of them, they are bolt-on mounts that allow you to mount shift levers (old DT levers or bar-ends) inboard of the brake levers on drop bars. http://www.kellybike.com/2nd_xtra_takeoff.html

Thanks for reading.

Guess that answers the question; What cross racers do in the off season.....

I have not tried the take off's, but would highly reccomend you try the Paul Thumbies. I ran them last season and was very happy with them. Initially I was just runing a front, but have since put the rear on as well. I can take some pics if you like, there's no races till august (SOB......)

Doh, just read your Obra post, Never mind.....

They look pretty slick but you'll have to come out of the drops to the tops to shift.

Dunno about that. It seems to me that either the take-offs or the Pauls could give you the option of some creative shifter placement.

But no I haven't used them (or the thumbies). FWIW my bar end shifters have been bonked on the rocks a tone and are still solid as ever. Scratched up, but solid. I've done some pretty unholy things to my touring bie.

My bar ends have been great for almost 10 years. Get some sleep. :D

There's a guy on that other forum what uses them.

I think you can find them on eBay for significantly less than a Paul thumby. I think both approaches are reasonable ideas, especially if you like to ride on the tops.

Here's the thread (scroll down to the photos):
http://forums.roadbikereview.com/showthread.php?p=1378165